reverse tapping head question

Pittknife

Pittknife

Joined
Oct 1, 2013
Messages
901
Hey guys,

I bought a reverse tapping head from ebay to try it out. The instructions were literally the worst I've ever seen... I'm tapping 2-56 so it doesn't take much to snap the taps. I snapped 3 of them already.

What speed should I be going by? I reduced the torque to as low as possible. anyone have any experience with these? There is no information online that I could find. thanks
 
I use a reverse tapping set up to do 0 X 80 size screws. Taps only break when I try to thread with taps that are very dull.
My drill press is set at the lowest speed which I believe is about 250 rpm. When I started my tapper I had it turned down as low as it would go for toque. I ended just a bit above this to get the necessary results. I sure like mine which is kind of a no name brand. I hope you get yours working correctly . They are very helpful.Frank
 
They take a bit of getting used to... I broke a lot of taps at first but have not broken one in a good while now.

Use low speed

When drilling pull down your drill press arm at a medium speed then once the tap clears immediately retract it with a quick, steady pull.

Make sure your holes are very clean and burr free

Use good tapping fluid like Moly-Dee


I hope this helps! You can download or view the Tap-matic manual online, it may also help.
 
Thanks Frank & Daniel, I'll have to buy some more plug taps and try again... I was going around 500rpm...
 
Gun taps. Also, the reverse feed rate is 2x the I put rate on my procunier tapping head.

Try some larger holes and taps to practice,then when you have it down work your way down.
 
Try thread forming taps on Titanium, they work a bit better and form a stronger thread.

What size hole are you going to before you tap? Ti usually needs one size larger bit to tap well and will still be very strong. I use a chart that is specific to the actual taps I use and in Ti.
 
thanks guys,

I was pre-drilling with a #49 but found that was near impossible so I switch to a 5/64 drill bit. I also ordered #47 & #48 drills as well. I'll order some thread forming, I was told that the plugs were the best for tapping heads....
 
Pittknife said:
thanks guys,

I was pre-drilling with a #49 but found that was near impossible so I switch to a 5/64 drill bit. I also ordered #47 & #48 drills as well. I'll order some thread forming, I was told that the plugs were the best for tapping heads....
Click to expand...

Plug taps are hand taps, not made to handle the twisting force
Also not made to clear the chips

Spiral point also called gun taps because they are for power tapping guns.

Forming taps in Ti, but the tap drill charts for cut threads are not valid for forming taps.

All my local hardware and box box stores only sell a plug tap.
Fine for chasing a damaged pre existing thread.
I suppose they never expect you to thread anything new.


slowest speed on the drill press
Start with the clutch at the lowest setting and adjust it slowly up until it stops stalling and taps al the way though.
 
I'm going to go against the grain here, I run my Tapmatic 30x at about 1100rpm in Ti with 0-80 SP taps in a #55 hole except on really thin material where I'll go with a 3/64". There is a balance between speed and torque/clutch setting that is going to give you the best performance and I have not found it to be in the bottom of the rpm settings. I would guess I'm getting 200 or more holes out of a tap.

Bob
 
RangerBobTX said:
I'm going to go against the grain here, I run my Tapmatic 30x at about 1100rpm in Ti with 0-80 SP taps in a #55 hole except on really thin material where I'll go with a 3/64". There is a balance between speed and torque/clutch setting that is going to give you the best performance and I have not found it to be in the bottom of the rpm settings. I would guess I'm getting 200 or more holes out of a tap.

Bob
Click to expand...

Procunier tapping speeds that are recommended are quite high but they say to not exceed 1000 rpm. Will try to find a table and link to it.
 
Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the help. So I got some spiral taps in and ordered some thread forming. I tried it last night and the spiral tap at about 200-300 rpm, low torque and not clamping down my work piece made for easy tapping.

I think it was the combination of going 2500 rpm, holding down my work piece really tight (my head has a little wobble, which I found out is common) & using the plug taps was causing them to break so easily.

Thanks again guys!
 
Lieblad said:
You must be producing in volume.
I know small stuff, I used to repair & modify clocks and watches. Powered tapping was not on my wishlist...
Click to expand...

I'm just adding to my shop. I make one knife at a time and really slowly, I wanted to tryout one of these tapping heads. I don't mind hand tapping but if there is a better more efficient way, why not try it. I only paid $180 for the head brand new, not $400+, so it was worth it to give it a shot.
 
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